Levelling and stabilizing means for house trailers

ABSTRACT

Support means for levelling a trailer when parked and for stabilizing it against rocking and swaying comprising a pair of struts pivotally connected to a horizontal support member carried by the trailer, the struts being arranged to swing between downwardly inclined operative positions with their free ends engaging a parking surface to retracted positions parallel with the support member, the struts each including a brace pivotally connected at one end to the strut and arranged to selectively engage a series of abutments along the support member at its free end whereby the struts may be independently braced in the positions of inclination required to level the trailer, and the braces each comprising two links pivotally connected to form a toggle whereby the struts and braces may be conveniently stressed to stabilize the trailer.

United States Patent Bristol [151 3,656,778 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 [72] Inventor: Ross W. Bristol, 1201 Ashford Drive, Bissell Hills, County of St. Louis, Mo. 63137 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 95,810

I Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 819,843, Apr. 28,

1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S.Cl. ..280/150.5 [51] lnt.Cl. ..B60s 9/02 [581 Field oiSearch "280/1505; 108/116, 117,145; 248/421, 423, 434

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,450,415 6/1969 Martin ..280/150.5 3,442,530 5/1969 Guinot... ....280/l50.5 2,567,595 9/1951 Bryant... ..108/116 3,094,948 6/1963 Glow ..108/117 LEVELLING AND STABILIZING MEANS FOR HOUSE TRAILERS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,035,955 5/ 1964 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. Song AtmrneyCharles E. Markham 57 ABSTRACT Support means for levelling a trailer when parked and for stabilizing it against rocking and swaying comprising a pair of struts pivotally connected to a horizontal support member carried by the trailer, the struts being arranged to swing between downwardly inclined operative positions with their free ends engaging a parking surface to retracted positions parallel with the support member, the struts each including a brace pivotally connected at one end to the strut and arranged to selectively engage a series of abutments along the support member at its free end whereby the struts may be independently braced in the positions of inclination required to level the trailer, and the braces each comprising two links pivotally connected to form a toggle whereby the struts and braces may be conveniently stressed to stabilize the trailer.

18 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 18 191-2 3,656,778

' SHEET 3 0F 3 l/YVEN 7'03 2055 W- 82/5704 LEVELLING AND STABILIZING MEANS FOR HOUSE TRAILERS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 819,843 filed Apr. 28, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to trailers and particularly to means forlevelling and stabilizing house trailers when they 1 are parked so as to prevent their rocking or swaying due to weight movement therein.

Currently most house trailers are equipped with one or more pairs of wheels positioned intermediately of the length thereof and are supported at the front end on the towing vehicle and connected thereto by a universal ball and socket hitch. The trailer wheels are usually positioned somewhat rearward of center so that the trailer is more or less front heavy when it is disconnected from the towing vehicle and parked the front end is supported on a single vertically adjustable caster.

The house'trailer frame and body are, moreover, conventionally supported on its wheeled carriage by resilient means of such character as to provide a reasonably soft ride. Such resilient support means frequently results, however, in objec tionable rocking or swaying of the trailer when parked as occupants move about therein. Objectionable listing may also occur due to uneven distribution of weight.

In'the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 2,924,463, issued Feb. 9, 1960 to Frank W. Liverrnont, discloses strut members pivotally connected to the forward projecting hitch portion of a house trailer frame for laterally stabilizing the trailer when parked. The strut members of Livermont are not however independently adjustable to fixed inclinedpositions and therefore the transverse levelling of a trailer parked on a sloping or irregular parking surface could not be accomplished.

The following references were cited by the Examiner during prosecution of original application Ser. No. 819,843: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,517,595; 3,094,948; 3,450,415; and British Pat. No. 1,035,955.

The present invention has for an object the provision ofgenerally new and improved means for levelling a resiliently supported house trailer when parked, both transversely and fore and aft and for preventing its rocking, swaying or tilting.

due to movement or distribution of weight therein.

A further object is to provide means carried by the trailer for levelling it and stabilizing it against rocking or swaying when parked, which means is readily and conveniently extended into operative position when the trailer is parked and readily and conveniently retracted to an inoperative and inconspicuous position when the trailer is being towed.

A further object is to provide means at the rear end of a resiliently supported house trailer operative to level the trailer transversely and stabilize it against transverse rocking or swaying when parked andadapted to cooperate with conventional vertically adjustable means at the front end of a trailer to level it fore and aft and to stabilize it fore and aft against rocking or tilting.

Further objects and advantages will appear when reading the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings,

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a house trailer equipped with stabilizing and levelling means constructed and arranged in cooperation with conventional adjustable front end support means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the house trailer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the levelling and stabilizing device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the rear end levelling and stabilizing device shown in a retracted position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the right hand end portion of the leveller and stabilizer shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are cross sectional views taken along lines 7-7, 8-8 and 99, respectively, of FIG. 5;

FIG. l0'is a cross sectional view taken along line l0l0 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a modified form of the brace members;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, detailed, sectional view of the modified form of brace member shown in FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged elevational view of a second form of the levelling and stabilizing device;

FIG.-l4 is an enlarged elevational view showing the left half of the device of FIG. 13 shown in a retracted position;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing one of the brace members in locked position;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing one of the struts and a brace member in an unlocked position;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 15.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, a house trailer is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1 and is shown in a parked position. The trailer has a conventional structural frame 12 including a forwardly projecting hitch portion 14 which converges forwardly to an apex on which a socket member 16 adapted to receive a hitch ball is attached. The apex portion of the frame also supports an upstanding hollow member 20 into which a rod 22 is threadedly engaged. The rod 22 extends through the member 20 and carries at its lower end a swiveled caster 23. At its upper end the rod 22 is provided with a handle 26. The trailer frame and body are resiliently supported in a suitable manner (not shown), on a wheeled carriage including two pairs of wheels 28.

Attached to the lower surface of the transverse rear side of the trailer frame 12 is retractible stabilizer device generally indicated at 30. The device 30 comprises an inverted channel support member 32 attached to the trailer frame 12 by screws 34 and a pair of channel strut members 36 each pivotally mounted at one end in support channel 32 on a pivot 38 fixed in the parallel walls of support channel 32, see FIG. 6. At their opposite ends the channel strut members 36 each carry a pivotally mounted foot 40. The feet 40 are pivotally mounted on pivots 42 extending through adjacent walls of the strut members and feet, see FIG. '7.

Pivotally mounted between the parallel walls of each of the channel strut members 36 on a pivot pin 44 is one end of a square tubular brace member 46, see FIG. 7. The other ends of these pivoted brace members 46 are provided with cross pins 48 fixed in the walls thereof, see FIGS. Sand 10. The cross pins 48 project from opposite sides of brace members 46 and when the brace members are in an operative position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the pins 48 engage pairs of arcuate notches 50 in the bottom edges of the parallel walls of support channel 32.

The strut members 36, when in an operative position as shown in FIG. 3, extend outward and downward from their pivotally connected ends with the pivoted feet 40 at their free ends resting on the ground. Under these conditions the cross pins 48 in the free ends of pivoted brace members 46 are entered into notches 50 and the strut members 38 are therefore braced against rotation under downward load. The strut members together with brace member 46 thus form a pair of Y struts with the legs thereof arranged at opposing angles to re sist transverse movement or sway as well as downward movement of the trailer body and frame. A tension spring 52 positioned between the parallel walls of support channel 32 and connected at its ends by cords 54 to brace members 46 biases the free ends of the brace members upward and inward to prevent their falling outward and downward in the absence of a vertical load.

When the strut members 36 are in an inoperative, retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, they lie parallel with and between the walls of support channel 32. While the angle which the strut members form to the horizontal when in operative position is not critical I prefer to make them of such length that they form an angle in the order of 45 to the horizontal when the ground is level and the feet 40 are resting on the'ground. The dimension from the pivot 38 to the end of support channel 32 is such that the straight sides 56 of the feet 40 lie against straight end portions 58 of the support channel 32 when the struts 36 are in a retracted position, see FIG. 5. This provision holds the bases of the feet 40 parallel with the strut members and support channel. The brace members 46 are made of such length and pivoted at such points along the strut members 36 that the cross pins 48 in the free ends thereof lie against the sloping straight sides 60 of feet 40 when in a retracted position, see FIG. 5.

A pair of latching devices generally indicated at 62 are provided to latch the strut members 36in a retracted position. Each of the latching devices 62 comprises an elongated flat leaf spring 64 riveted at one end to a vertical wall of support channel 32 by a rivet 65 and at its other end carries riveted thereto a pin 66 which enters and passes through a hole 68 in the wall of the support channel and enters a hole 70 in a strut member 32 which is brought into registry with hole 68 when the strut is moved to a retracted position, see FIGS. 8 and 10. The leaf spring 64 further includes a lip or handle portion 72. Suitable thin, pliable, plastic washers 74 are provided between the parallel walls of the members 32, 36 and 46 to preclude noisy metal to metal contact.

OPERATION When the trailer is being towed the stabilizer device 30 is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 and the rod 22 is drawn upward into the hollow member 20. When it is desired to park the trailer, the rod 22 with the caster 24 thereon is lowered and the trailer hitch disconnected. The latching device pins 66 are now withdrawn and the strut members 36 swung downward with the feet 40 resting on the ground or parking surface.

The rod 22 and caster 24 are now adjusted vertically by the handle 26 so that the trailer is slightly tilted forward and the braces 46 of the stabilizing device 30 are then positioned in those notches 50 which will level the trailer transversely. The handle 26 is now turned so as to raisethe front end of the trailer sufficiently to level it fore and aft and to shift some weight to the stabilizing device 30. The trailer body and frame are now supported on three fixed points, that is, on the caster in the center at the front end and on the two laterally spaced feet 40 at the rear. The trailer is now levelled and supported against tilting fore and aft as well as transversely. Moreover, considerable stability against side sway is also provided by the angular arrangement of strut members 36.

When it is desired to retract the trailer the front end is let down slightly by turning the handle 26 to remove the weight from struts 36. The brace members 46 are now disengaged from the notches 50 and the strut members 36 are then swung upward. The spring latch pins 66 are then pulled outward so that the strut members may be entered into the support channel and the latch, pins are then entered into the holes 70 in the strut members.

A modified form of the braces 46 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein the braces are formed of two elongated sections 76 and 78 lying end to end and pivotally connected at their adjacent ends by a pivot 80. The section 76 is hollow and receives a portion of the pivoted end of section 78. A portion of the wall at one side of section 76 is cut away at 82 to permit the relative rotational movement of the sections in one direction. A wall portion opposite the cut away portion, however, limits relative rotational movement in the opposite direction to a slight amount, just sufficient to lock the sections in an over center position as shown in FIGS. 1 l and 12 when a longitudinal force is applied.

The ends of spring 52 are connected to the sections 76 of the braces shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 so that the two sections of each brace areheld in alignment and so that the entire I brace is biased toward the abutments 50.

The pivoted, two section braces shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 provide a convenient means of applying an upward force to the trailer frame thereby to load the strut members as desired. It will be seen that as the brace sections are rotated from a broken position toward alignment to a locked position slightly passed dead center, the greater leverage of a toggle joint is provided. This is of particular advantage in levelling and stabilizing full trailers having road wheels fore and aft wherein the front end cannot be lowered and raised conveniently as in a semi-trailer.

SECOND FORM OF INVENTION In the second form of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 to 19, the horizontal support means comprises two shorter sections of inverted channel members 84 bolted to the trailer frame and to each of which sections a strut member 86 is pivotally connected. By providing a shorter separate support member for each of said strut members the horizontal spacing of the struts may be varied to accommodate trailers of various widths and permits a more compact unit for packaging and handling in shipment. Moreover, with this arrangement the struts may be mounted on opposite parallel sides of a full trailer having road wheels fore and aft if desired. The channel support members 84 are independently bolted to the trailer frame 12 by bolts 85 and a channel form strut member 86 is pivotally connected at one end by a pivot pin 88 to each of said support members 84.

The pivot pins 88 are fixed at both ends in the flanges of the channel strut members 86 by riveting and they pass through horizontally elongated apertures 90 in the parallel flanges of the channel support member 84 thereby to'permit a small horizontal movement of the pivoted ends of strut members 86 in the support channels for a purpose to be described. A channel fonn foot member 92 is pivotally connected to the free end of each strut member by a pivot pin 94 which extends through both flanges of the channel s'trut member and the channel form foot member. The channel strut members 86 are wider than support channels 84 and the channel form foot member 92 is wider than the strut member 86 so that when these members are in a retracted position, as shown in FIGS. '14 and 17, the strut members 86 overlie the support channel 84 and the foot members 92 overlie the strut member 86.

The outer end of each channel support member is provided with re-entries 96 in both parallel flanges into which the pivot pins 94 are entered in order to lock the device in a retracted position. The length of strut members 86 from pivot pin 88 to pivot pin 94 is such that the struts must be moved longitudinally outward a short distance as permitted by elongated apertures 90 in order to enter the pivot pins 94 into re-entries 96. A single tension spring 98 positioned between strut members 86 and having a flexible extension 100 at each end thereof connected to the strut braces 102 biases the strut members longitudinally inward toward each other when in retracted positions thereby holding the pivot pins 94 firmly in re-entries 96. When the struts are in any operative position, as shown in FIG. 13, it will be seen that the pivot pins 88 will always bear against one end of the elongated apertures 90 whereby the struts 86 are pivotally connected to the support members at virtually fixed points therealong regardless of their angular positions as fixed by the brace members 102.

The brace members 102 each comprise a channel section 104 pivotally connected at one end to a strut member by a pivot 106 and a square tubular section 108 pivotally connected at one end to channel section 104 by a pivot 110. The tubular section 108 lies between the parallel flanges of the channel section 104. The free end of tubular section 108 carries a cross pin 112 which is selectively engaged in the arcuate abutments 114 formed in both parallel flanges of channel support members 84. The pivot 106 is supported in a channel form bracket 1 16 which is riveted to the strut member 86. The

distance from the point of pivotal connection 106 of channel section 104 and strut 86 to the point of pivotal connection 110 of brace sections 104 and 108 is short compared to that portion of the length of section 104 extending from pivotal connection 110 to its free end. A lever is thereby provided whereby considerable force may be applied over a short distance with the application of relatively small manual force as the brace sections are moved from their broken position in FIG. 16 to their aligned and locked position in FIG. 15.

A leaf spring 118 connected to each of the brace sections 108 by a rivet 120 extends in one directionfrom the rivet to overlie the pivot 106 thereby urging the brace sections 104 and 108 toward a position of alignment. This extension is provided with a lip 122 at the end thereof which bears against pivot pin 106 when the sections are in alignment. When the brace sections are moved to a broken position the lip 122 slides off of the pivot 106 to reduce the stress on the leaf spring..A short portion of the leaf spring extending in an opposite direction from rivet 120 provides a connector for the extension 100 of spring 98. The relative widths of the members of the device are such as to provide ample clearance to facilitate free movement of the members between retracted and operative positions. A pair of resilient buttons 124 fixed to opposite sides of the relatively narrow brace sections 108 at their free ends remain within the parallel flanges of the channel support members at all times in either operative or retracted positions thereby to maintain alignment of the strut and brace members with the support members.

OPERATION OF THE SECOND FORM When moving the struts from their retracted to operative positions, in the form of the device shown in FIGS. 13 to 19, the foot members 94 are merely pulled outward to disengage the pivot pins from re-entries 96 and lowered to the parking surface. When this is done the abutment engaging pins 112 will each automatically engage some abutment 50 depending upon the vertical distance from the support member to the verge downwardly and inwardly when in operative position. This arrangement while not providing as wide a base as the illustrated form would, nevertheless, provide a means of levelling the trailer and provide considerable stability against rocking.

The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a house trailer resiliently supported intermediately of its length on wheels and having a vertically adjustable support at the front end thereof for supporting the front end when parked, means for levelling the trailer and for stabilizing it against rocking and swaying when parked comprising elongated support means attached to and coextending horizontally with the rear side of the trailer, a pair of elongated strut members having adjacent ends thereof pivotally connected to said support means at horizontally spaced fixed points therealong and extending oppositely therefrom substantially parallel with said support means when in retracted positions, said strut members being arranged to be swung downward from retracted positions to operative positions with their free ends engaging a parking surface below, and said strut members being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking, each of said strut members having an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end thereto and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on that side of said strut member. forming an acute angle with said horizontal support means when said strut member is in its operative position, a series of abutrnents along said support means for selective fixed engagement therewith by the free ends of said brace members-whereby said strut members may be independently braced in fixed positions as required to level the trailer, said pivoted brace members being arranged to lie parallel with and between said strut members and said support means when the device is in retracted position, and means for latching said strut members in retracted position.

2. The subject matter claimed in claim 1 in which said elonparking surface engaged by the foot. The lever sections 104 of 4() gated Strut members are of Such length 88 o o m an acute the brace members are now pulled outward to the position shown in FIG. 16. This action shortens the distance from pivots 106 to abutment pins 112 and the spring 98 pulls the brace sections 108 inward moving the abutment pins 112 inward to some other inwardly spaced abutments. The lever portions 104 are now pushed into alignment with brace sections 108 thereby substantially stressing the struts and braces the required amount to stabilize a resiliently supported trailer body against rocking or swaying as occupants move around therein.

When it is desired to move the device to a retracted position for traveling the lever sections 104 of the brace members are again pulled outward. This action now releases the stress on the struts and braces and permits the struts to be swung upward to retracted positions. A slight outward movement of the struts against spring 98 pennits entry of the foot pivot pins 94 into re-entries 96 whereby the device is now latched in a retracted position. The form of the device shown in FIGS. 13 to 19 has particular advantage in use on trailers, wheeled campers and the like which are supported on wheels both fore and aft because loading or stressing the struts cannot be accomplished by conveniently raising and lowering the front end as in a semi-trailer.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a 5 angle in the order of 45 degrees with the horizontal when engaging a substantially level parking surface thereby to provide substantial resistance to side sway.

3. The subject matter claimed in claim 1 in which each of said strut members is provided with a foot member pivotally connected to the free end thereof.

4. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried on a trailer) comprising elongated support means (arranged to be connected to and coextend horizontally with a 0 transverse side of a trailer), a pair of elongated strut members having adjacent ends thereof pivotally connected to said support means at horizontally spaced fixed points and extending oppositely and substantially horizontally therefrom when in retracted position, said strut members being arranged to swing downward from their retracted position to an operative position with the free ends in engagement with a parking surface below and said strut members having such length as to be oppositely inclined when engaging a parking surface, an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end to each of 0 said strut members and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on the acute angle side of said strut member when it is in an operative position, horizontally spaced abutments on said support means for selective engagement of the free ends of said brace members therewith, whereby said strut members may be independently braced in fixed inclined positions as required to level a trailer, said pivoted braced members being arranged to lie substantially parallel with said strut members and said support means when the device is in retracted position, and means for latching the device in a retracted position.

5. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said horizontal support means comprises a single elongated member arranged to be bolted to a trailer frame and to which both of said strut members are pivotally connected at spaced fixed points may be pivoted near the ends of the support channel and contherealong.

6. The device. claimed in claim 4 in which said horizontal support means comprises two elongated members adapted to be connected to a transverse side of a trailer in end to end relationship and to each of which one of said strut members is pivotally connected at a fixed point thereon whereby the device is rendered universally adaptable to trailers of various widths and whereby more compact packaging for shipment or storage of the device may be accomplished.

7. The device claimed in claim 4 which further includes resilient means operative to bias the free ends of said brace members upward into engagement with said support means when said strut members are in a downwardly angled operative position.

8. The device claimed in claim 4 which further includes tensioning spring means positioned between the points of pivotal connection of said strut members to said support means, flexible means connecting said spring means to each of said brace members at an intermediate point along the length thereof, said spring means being operative to bias said brace members upward into engagement with said abutments on said support means when said strut members are in a downwardly angled operative position, and being operative to bias said brace members and consequently said strut members longitudinally toward each other when said device is in a retracted position thereby to preclude rattling at pivotal connections.

9. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated support means and said elongated strut members are of channel fonn with the flanges thereof in overlapping relationship and with said elongated brace members lying within the flanges of said strut members when the device is in a retracted position.

10. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated horizontal support means is of channel form and said horizontally spaced abutments comprise a series of longitudinally spaced notches in both parallel flanges thereof, and in which said brace members are each provided with a cross pin at the free end thereof adapted to engage the notches in both flanges.

11. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said brace members each comprise two elongated sections, one end of one section being pivotally connected to a strut member, one end of the other section being adapted to engage the abutments on said support member and said sections being pivotally connected to each other to form a toggle joint, said sections being free to rotate relatively a substantial amount in one direction about their pivotal connection from a position of alignment of their pivotal connection with that of the pivotal connection of said one section with said strut member and with the point of engagement of said one end of said other section with an abutment, means on said one section limiting relative rotational movement of said sections in an opposite direction to substantially said position of alignment, and spring means acting on said one section to bias said sections in said opposite direction of relative rotational movement to said aligned position and to bias said other section into engagement with an abutment.

12. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated brace members each comprise first and second elongated links pivotally connected to form a toggle joint, said first link being connected at one end to a strut member, said second link being pivotally connected at one end to said first link at an intermediate point therealong and having a surface at its free end arranged to selectively engage said abutments, the distance from the pivotal connection of said first link with said strut member to the pivotal connection of said links being less than the distance from the pivotal connection of said links to the abutment engaging surface at the free end of said second link, that portion of said first link extending from its pivotal connection with said second link to its free end forming a lever portion, and means on one of said links operative to engage a surface of the other to limit relative rotational movement of said links in one direction to a position of substantial alignment of said pivotal connections with said abutment engaging surface.

13. The device claimed in claim 12 which further includes spring means operative to bias said second link member in a direction to maintain its engagement with one of said abutments when said strut member is in a downwardly angled operative position.

14. The device claimed in claim 12 which further includes spring means connected to one of said toggle links and engaging the other and operative to bias said links in said one direction of relative rotation to said position of substantial alignment.

15. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried by a trailer comprising an elongated support member arranged to be bolted to and coextend horizontally with a transverse side of a trailer, a pair of elongated strut members pivotally connected at adjacent ends thereof to said support member at horizontally spaced fixed points therealong and extending therefrom to remote free ends, said strut members being arranged to be swung independently and oppositely between retracted positions parallel with said horizontal support member to operative positions in which their free ends engage a parking surface below and said strut members being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking surface thereby to provide substantial resistance to lateral swaying movement as well as vertical movement of the trailer, bracing means for each of said strut members comprising an elongated brace member extending from an intermediate point on said strut member to said support member on the acute angle side thereof when said strut member is in a downwardly angled operative position and being pivotally connected at one end to one of said members, a series of abutments on the other of said members for selective engagement therewith by the free end of said brace member, said brace members being movable to a position parallel with said strut members and said support member when in a retracted position, and means for latching said strut members in retracted position.

16. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device to be carried on a trailer comprising an elongated support member adapted to be connected in a horizontal position to a house trailer, an elongated strut member having one end pivotally connected to saidsupport member at a fixed point near one end thereof, said strut member being arranged to be swung between a retracted position parallel with said horizontal support member to an operative position in which its free end engages a parking surface below, and said strut being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking surface, an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end to said strut member at an intermediate point therealong and extending upward therefrom to said support member on the acute angle side of said strut member when it is in a downwardly angled operative position, a series of abutments on said support member for selective engagement therewith by the upper free end of said brace member, said brace member comprising two elongated sections, one end of one section being pivotally connected to said strut member, one end of the other section having a surface adapted to selectively engage abutments on said support member and said brace sections being pivotally connected to each other to form a toggle joint, means on one of said brace sections operative to engage a surface on the other to limit their relative rotational movement in one direction to a position of substantial alignment of said pivotal connections with said abutment engaging surface, said brace sections being arranged to lie substantially parallel with said strut member and said support member when in retracted position, and means to latch said strut member and brace member in retracted position.

17. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried by a trailer comprising an elongated support member arranged to be attached to and coextend with a transverse side of a trailer, a pair of strut members, means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said strut members to said suptheir pivotal connections to remote free ends substantially coinciding with the ends of said support member and being arranged to be swung independently and oppositely between retracted positions substantially parallel with said support member to operative positions in which their free ends engage a parking surface below, said strut members being of such length as to assume inclined positions when engaging a parking surface, a brace member pivotally connected at one end to each of said strut members at an intennediate point therealong and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on the acute angle sides of said strut members when in their operative positions, a series of abutments on said support member for selective engagement therewith by the free ends of said brace members and said brace members I being arranged to lie parallel with said strut members when in permit a short longitudinal Eve ment-of said strut members relative to said support member when in their retracted positions, and means for latching said strut members in their retracted positions comprising a re-entry in each end of said support member, a transverse element on the free end of each of said strut members arranged to be entered into said re-entries when said strut members are moved outward substantially to the limit permitted by said pivotal connecting means, and spring means biasing said strut members longitudinally toward each other to hold said transverse elements in said reentries.

18. The device claimed in claim 17 in which said support member comprises two elongated sections arranged to be connected to and coextend with a transverse side of a trailer and in which one of said strut members is pivotally connected to each of said sections of said support. 

1. In a house trailer resiliently supported intermediately of its length on wheels and having a vertically adjustable support at the front end thereof for supporting the front end when parked, means for levelling the trailer and for stabilizing it against rocking and swaying when parked comprising elongated support means attached to and coextending horizontally with the rear side of the trailer, a pair of elongated strut members having adjacent ends thereof pivotally connected to said support means at horizontally spaced fixed points therealong and extending oppositely therefrom substantially parallel with said support means when in retracted positions, said strut members being arranged to be swung downward from retracted positions to operative positions with their free ends engaging a parking surface below, and said strut members being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking, each of said strut members having an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end thereto and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on that side of said strut member forming an acute angle with said horizontal support means when said strut member is in its operative position, a series of abutments along said support means for selective fixed engagement therewith by the free ends of said brace members whereby said strut members may be independently braced in fixed positions as required to level the trailer, said pivoted brace members being arranged to lie parallel with and between said strut members and said support means when the device is in retracted pOsition, and means for latching said strut members in retracted position.
 2. The subject matter claimed in claim 1 in which said elongated strut members are of such length as to form an acute angle in the order of 45 degrees with the horizontal when engaging a substantially level parking surface thereby to provide substantial resistance to side sway.
 3. The subject matter claimed in claim 1 in which each of said strut members is provided with a foot member pivotally connected to the free end thereof.
 4. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried on a trailer comprising elongated support means arranged to be connected to and coextend horizontally with a transverse side of a trailer, a pair of elongated strut members having adjacent ends thereof pivotally connected to said support means at horizontally spaced fixed points and extending oppositely and substantially horizontally therefrom when in retracted position, said strut members being arranged to swing downward from their retracted position to an operative position with the free ends in engagement with a parking surface below and said strut members having such length as to be oppositely inclined when engaging a parking surface, an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end to each of said strut members and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on the acute angle side of said strut member when it is in an operative position, horizontally spaced abutments on said support means for selective engagement of the free ends of said brace members therewith, whereby said strut members may be independently braced in fixed inclined positions as required to level a trailer, said pivoted braced members being arranged to lie substantially parallel with said strut members and said support means when the device is in retracted position, and means for latching the device in a retracted position.
 5. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said horizontal support means comprises a single elongated member arranged to be bolted to a trailer frame and to which both of said strut members are pivotally connected at spaced fixed points therealong.
 6. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said horizontal support means comprises two elongated members adapted to be connected to a transverse side of a trailer in end to end relationship and to each of which one of said strut members is pivotally connected at a fixed point thereon whereby the device is rendered universally adaptable to trailers of various widths and whereby more compact packaging for shipment or storage of the device may be accomplished.
 7. The device claimed in claim 4 which further includes resilient means operative to bias the free ends of said brace members upward into engagement with said support means when said strut members are in a downwardly angled operative position.
 8. The device claimed in claim 4 which further includes tensioning spring means positioned between the points of pivotal connection of said strut members to said support means, flexible means connecting said spring means to each of said brace members at an intermediate point along the length thereof, said spring means being operative to bias said brace members upward into engagement with said abutments on said support means when said strut members are in a downwardly angled operative position, and being operative to bias said brace members and consequently said strut members longitudinally toward each other when said device is in a retracted position thereby to preclude rattling at pivotal connections.
 9. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated support means and said elongated strut members are of channel form with the flanges thereof in overlapping relationship and with said elongated brace members lying within the flanges of said strut members when the device is in a retracted position.
 10. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated horizontal support means is of channel form and said horizontally spAced abutments comprise a series of longitudinally spaced notches in both parallel flanges thereof, and in which said brace members are each provided with a cross pin at the free end thereof adapted to engage the notches in both flanges.
 11. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said brace members each comprise two elongated sections, one end of one section being pivotally connected to a strut member, one end of the other section being adapted to engage the abutments on said support member and said sections being pivotally connected to each other to form a toggle joint, said sections being free to rotate relatively a substantial amount in one direction about their pivotal connection from a position of alignment of their pivotal connection with that of the pivotal connection of said one section with said strut member and with the point of engagement of said one end of said other section with an abutment, means on said one section limiting relative rotational movement of said sections in an opposite direction to substantially said position of alignment, and spring means acting on said one section to bias said sections in said opposite direction of relative rotational movement to said aligned position and to bias said other section into engagement with an abutment.
 12. The device claimed in claim 4 in which said elongated brace members each comprise first and second elongated links pivotally connected to form a toggle joint, said first link being connected at one end to a strut member, said second link being pivotally connected at one end to said first link at an intermediate point therealong and having a surface at its free end arranged to selectively engage said abutments, the distance from the pivotal connection of said first link with said strut member to the pivotal connection of said links being less than the distance from the pivotal connection of said links to the abutment engaging surface at the free end of said second link, that portion of said first link extending from its pivotal connection with said second link to its free end forming a lever portion, and means on one of said links operative to engage a surface of the other to limit relative rotational movement of said links in one direction to a position of substantial alignment of said pivotal connections with said abutment engaging surface.
 13. The device claimed in claim 12 which further includes spring means operative to bias said second link member in a direction to maintain its engagement with one of said abutments when said strut member is in a downwardly angled operative position.
 14. The device claimed in claim 12 which further includes spring means connected to one of said toggle links and engaging the other and operative to bias said links in said one direction of relative rotation to said position of substantial alignment.
 15. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried by a trailer comprising an elongated support member arranged to be bolted to and coextend horizontally with a transverse side of a trailer, a pair of elongated strut members pivotally connected at adjacent ends thereof to said support member at horizontally spaced fixed points therealong and extending therefrom to remote free ends, said strut members being arranged to be swung independently and oppositely between retracted positions parallel with said horizontal support member to operative positions in which their free ends engage a parking surface below and said strut members being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking surface thereby to provide substantial resistance to lateral swaying movement as well as vertical movement of the trailer, bracing means for each of said strut members comprising an elongated brace member extending from an intermediate point on said strut member to said support member on the acute angle side thereof when said strut member is in a downwardly angled operative position and being pivotally connected at one end to one of said members, a series of abutments On the other of said members for selective engagement therewith by the free end of said brace member, said brace members being movable to a position parallel with said strut members and said support member when in a retracted position, and means for latching said strut members in retracted position.
 16. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device to be carried on a trailer comprising an elongated support member adapted to be connected in a horizontal position to a house trailer, an elongated strut member having one end pivotally connected to said support member at a fixed point near one end thereof, said strut member being arranged to be swung between a retracted position parallel with said horizontal support member to an operative position in which its free end engages a parking surface below, and said strut being of such length as to be inclined when engaging a parking surface, an elongated brace member pivotally connected at one end to said strut member at an intermediate point therealong and extending upward therefrom to said support member on the acute angle side of said strut member when it is in a downwardly angled operative position, a series of abutments on said support member for selective engagement therewith by the upper free end of said brace member, said brace member comprising two elongated sections, one end of one section being pivotally connected to said strut member, one end of the other section having a surface adapted to selectively engage abutments on said support member and said brace sections being pivotally connected to each other to form a toggle joint, means on one of said brace sections operative to engage a surface on the other to limit their relative rotational movement in one direction to a position of substantial alignment of said pivotal connections with said abutment engaging surface, said brace sections being arranged to lie substantially parallel with said strut member and said support member when in retracted position, and means to latch said strut member and brace member in retracted position.
 17. A retractible levelling and stabilizing device adapted to be carried by a trailer comprising an elongated support member arranged to be attached to and coextend with a transverse side of a trailer, a pair of strut members, means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said strut members to said support member, said strut members extending oppositely from their pivotal connections to remote free ends substantially coinciding with the ends of said support member and being arranged to be swung independently and oppositely between retracted positions substantially parallel with said support member to operative positions in which their free ends engage a parking surface below, said strut members being of such length as to assume inclined positions when engaging a parking surface, a brace member pivotally connected at one end to each of said strut members at an intermediate point therealong and arranged to extend upward therefrom to said support means on the acute angle sides of said strut members when in their operative positions, a series of abutments on said support member for selective engagement therewith by the free ends of said brace members and said brace members being arranged to lie parallel with said strut members when in retracted positions, said means pivotally connecting each of said strut members to said support member comprising a pivot pin fixed in one of said members and extending through an elongated aperture in the other of said members thereby to permit a short longitudinal movement of said strut members relative to said support member when in their retracted positions, and means for latching said strut members in their retracted positions comprising a re-entry in each end of said support member, a transverse element on the free end of each of said strut members arranged to be entered into said re-entries when said strut members are moved outward substantially to the limit permitted by said pivotal connecting means, and sprIng means biasing said strut members longitudinally toward each other to hold said transverse elements in said re-entries.
 18. The device claimed in claim 17 in which said support member comprises two elongated sections arranged to be connected to and coextend with a transverse side of a trailer and in which one of said strut members is pivotally connected to each of said sections of said support. 